Asanté Technologies, Inc. today announced the
release of advanced Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) encryption, AppleTalk,
and enhanced system log (syslog) services for its top-selling FriendlyNET®
FR1104-G wireless router. These new features provide improved security
and interoperability for small- and medium-sized business networks.

By upgrading the router’s firmware to version
1.1, users can secure their wireless networks with WPA, an encryption
and authentication protocol that is superior to the commonly available
wired equivalent privacy (WEP) protocol. In large networks with 802.1X
RADIUS authentication servers, the FR1104-G router can take full advantage
of WPA with RADIUS. For home and small business users, the router supports
WPA with pre-shared keys (PSK); a separate authentication server is
not required.

Networks with both
Windows and Macintosh computers will have enhanced interoperability.
The new firmware adds support for Apple’s popular AppleTalk protocol.
For legacy Apple networks, users can share files with AppleShare servers
and print to printers supporting AppleTalk.

“Asanté
is the first to provide 802.11g, WPA, and AppleTalk support in a 4-port
cable/DSL router,” commented Jim Hsia, Asanté Vice President
of Product Management. “For users with Windows, Mac OS, and Linux
systems who depend on multi-platform interoperability, Asanté
is pleased to be the first vendor to recognize this need—and to
provide a cost-effective solution.”

The FR1104-G router
already includes a full complement of business-class security features:
“double firewall” (NAT with packet and domain filters), stealth
SSID, denial of service (DoS) protection, and SNMP management.

The new
firmware adds enhanced system log (syslog) capabilities. Now system alerts
can be emailed or remotely logged according to pre-defined facility priority
levels.